Why we allow non-custodian service – NCoS boss

By Cosmas Chukwu, Enugu

The Nigerian Correctional Services, NCoS, Thursday explained why it allows convicts with lesser sentences to operate from their homes.

The Controller of the Service, Nicholas Obinna Obiako, made the explainations to journalists shortly after decorating 92 senior officers of the Command who were promoted recently.

Among those promoted were DCC, Oluyemi Olufemi, Chief C S, Odimma Chukwuka and Duluora Chima, Asst Controller among others.

Obiako said the decision to offer non-custodian services to convicts with less than six month sentences was to enable them to be re-integrated the society easily.

He also explained that non-custodian services avert room for the convicts with lesser sentences to be tagged ex-convicts, adding that people will not look at them as criminals.

He further said that before the Command offer non-custodian service, it collects the addresses and names and other relevant information about the convicts so that he or she will be monitored closely.

“Non-custodian service will not make them to run away because we take their addresses. It will help us to re-integrate them into the community. We have staff that supervse and monitor them and it helps to decongest the prisons and facilitate in the dispensation of justice by the courts,” he said.

On the efforts being made by his Command to avert jail breaks, he disclosed that they have been engaging the inmates in skill acquisition programmes like capentry, metal works, among others, adding that when they are thus, occupied, they will not be thinking of jail breaks.

He also disclosed that the Command has been partnering with sister security agencies in the state for adequate security of the facilities of the Correctional Service and commended Gov. Ugwuanyi of Enugu state over the peace reigning in the state and his support to the Command.